The U.S. Army Strings - The United States Army Band

Violins (con’t.)
Staff Sgt. Annette Barger became a
member of The U.S. Army Strings in 2005.
She received a bachelor’s degree from
Brown University, a master’s degree from
New England Conservatory of Music, and an
artist diploma from Yale University. She has
performed with the Hartford Symphony,
New Haven Symphony, New World
Symphony, and San Antonio Symphony.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Evans joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 2007. A native of State
College, Pennsylvania, he studied with
James Lyon at Penn State University, and
Christophe and Judy Bosua at the Ecole
Suzuki in Lyon, France. Matthew earned
his bachelor’s degree with honors from the
University of Louisville. He kept busy with a
major in French and was a member of the
Louisville men’s soccer team.
Staff Sgt. Judy Spokes is a versatile
performer who pursued her Doctoral studies
in Violin Performance at the Graduate
School and University Center of the City
of New York. Her major teachers included
Itzhak Perlman and Juilliard Professor Masao
Kawasaki. During earlier musical studies she
worked with violist Emanuel Vardi at the
Manhattan School of Music.
Violas
Staff Sgt. Timothy Zenobia received a
bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School
of Music in viola performance and a master’s
degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Tim has performed with many orchestras
and ensembles including the National
Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Toledo
Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the
New World Symphony.
Staff Sgt. Anjali Lind graduated from the
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory
of Music (CCM) in 1994 with highest honors.
In 1997 she received a Master of Music degree
and an Artist Diploma in viola performance,
also from CCM. Anjali joined The U.S. Army
Strings in 2000. Prior to that she served as
assistant principal viola with the Dayton
Philharmonic Orchestra for two years.
Staff Sgt. Holly Watters joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 2001 after completing her
bachelor’s degree at the Eastman School of
Music and graduate studies at the Mannes
College of Music. She studied both the piano
and viola simultaneously through college.
She has appeared as soloist with the Dayton
Philharmonic Orchestra and has attended
festivals at Sarasota, Bowdoin, and the Henry
Mancini Jazz Institute.
Staff Sgt. Beth Dunkel joined The U.S.
Army Strings in August of 2002. She studied
with Misha Amory and Heidi Castleman
at the Juilliard School. Beth is an active
chamber musician and plays regularly with
the National Symphony and the Eclipse
Chamber Orchestra. Past solos include
Mozart’s Symphonia Concertante with
Gyorgy Valtchev on violin with the Lyric
Theatre Orchestra.
Cellos
Master Sgt. Charlotte Roberts currently
serves as Principal Cellist with The U.S. Army
Strings. A native of Richmond, Virginia, and
a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth
University, she has performed with
numerous symphony orchestras, including
the Virginia Opera, the Virginia Symphony,
the Richmond Symphony, and the
Alexandria Symphony. Charlotte has served
as Principal Cellist with the Spoleto Music
Festival, the American Institute of Musical
Studies, and the Arlington Symphony.
Sgt. 1st Class John Gockel received his
Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin
College and attended the Taos School of
Music. He has been a member of The U.S.
Army Strings since 1980. Prior to his Army
experience, he was a member of the Florida
Symphony and the Jacksonville Symphony
and its string quartet.
Staff Sgt. Samuel Swift joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 1997. He studied at Indiana
University, Michigan State, and received his
Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of
Maryland. From 1991-1993 he was a lecturer
at the University of Virginia, and he has also
been an adjunct assistant professor of cello
at Shenandoah University, an instructor at
Georgetown University, and a substitute
with the National Symphony.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin R. Wensel, a native of
Western New York, received degrees from
the Cleveland Institute of Music and Eastman
where he was assistant to Professor Alan
Harris. Ben studied chamber music with
Peter Salaff and members of the Audubon
and Cavani Quartets. Prior to joining The
U.S. Army Strings in 2003, he was a member
of the Syracuse Symphony and ProMusica
Chamber Orchestra.
Accordion
Sgt. Maj. Manuel Bobenrieth was born
in Concepcion, Chile, and began studying
the accordion at age five. He studied
at Montgomery College and received a
Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance
from The Catholic University of America
in Washington, DC. In his off-duty hours,
The Manny Bobenrieth Ensemble has
been featured at Blues Alley Jazz Club,
The Argentinean Embassy, The
World Bank, The Kennedy Center,
and others. His CD “Tangata” has
been heard on NPR’s “All Things
Considered.” In April 2004 he
became the Group Leader of The
U.S. Army Strings.
Bass
Sgt. 1st Class Thomas K. Fowler joined
The U.S. Army Strings in 1997.
Originally from Los Angeles,
California, he received
a bachelor’s degree
from the University of
Southern California and a
master’s degree from the
University of Maryland.
His teachers include John
Clayton, Paul Ellison,
and Curtis Burris of the
National Symphony.
H H H from Washington, DC H H H
The U.S. Army Band
“Pershing’s Own”
Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr., Leader and Commander
The U.S. Army Strings
The U.S. Army Strings is one of the premier elements
of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
in Washington, DC. The Army Strings provides a
musical backdrop for many of the country’s most
notable events. Its mission is to serve as a musical
ambassador for high-level military and government
events at home and abroad as well as in concert
for public audiences. This versatile ensemble of
20 world-class musicians performs as the Strolling
Strings, The U.S. Army Orchestra, and various
mixed small chamber ensembles and combos.

What is the united states Army Band
“pershing’s own?”
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
(TUSAB) is the premier musical ensemble
of the U.S. Army. The organization consists
of over 270 enlisted personnel and eight
official ensembles: The U.S. Army Concert
Band, Ceremonial Band, Strings, Army Blues
(jazz ensemble), Army Chorus, Downrange
(rock band), Herald Trumpets, and Brass
Quintet. Elements combine to create an
orchestra, woodwind quintet, and myriad
small chamber ensembles or combos.
What is the strolling strings?
Completely unique to The U.S. Army Band
“Pershing’s Own,” the Strolling Strings
provides entertainment for the most notable
military and governmental functions in
Washington, DC. The accordionist and
bass player stand and join the seated cellos,
while the violinists and violists stand up and
actually “stroll” around the room performing
memorized repertoire. Events range from
intimate dinner parties to ballrooms filled
with hundreds of guests.
Who can join tusAB?
You must enlist in the U.S. Army to be a
member of TUSAB. Qualified U.S. Citizens
may enlist prior to his or her 42nd birthday.
Professional musicians audition from varied
backgrounds. Many members hold advanced
degrees (Masters/Doctorates) from major
conservatories, colleges, and universities.
Some members auditioned from other
armed service bands, or came from civilian
positions as commercial or orchestral
players, educators, and/or touring road
musicians. Even after joining TUSAB, many
members continue to act as adjunct faculty
at colleges and universities, maintain private
studios, and perform in shows, recording
sessions, broadcasts, and orchestras.
Members have their own ensembles, record
CDs, and publish articles, arrangements,
and compositions. Band members have the
opportunity to travel and appear as guest
clinicians and soloists, perform in festivals
and competitions, and act as educators—as
part of their Army Band schedule and during
off-duty hours.
Where is tusAB located?
TUSAB elements provide musical support
for The U.S. Army Military District of
Washington and the band has its own
rehearsal/concert facility, Brucker Hall,
adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery
on historic Fort Albert J. Myer in Arlington,
Virginia—overlooking the Potomac River
and stunning views of the nation’s capital.
Where do tusAB members live?
Most musicians live in the surrounding
areas of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and
Washington, DC, which provides a wealth
of cultural and recreational opportunities.
What is the work schedule like?
The Strings’ schedule varies depending upon
upcoming concert and job requirements.
One week might be rehearsals for an
orchestra concert, while during the next
week, several stroll jobs are being prepared.
Are there opportunities to play
chamber music?
Yes. Often, members of the Army Strings are
tasked to perform chamber music in string
quartets. Also, the Army Strings programs
a series of chamber music concerts/recitals
throughout the year, both at Fort Myer and
at other local venues. In 2006 they performed
eight chamber concerts in the area.
Do you have to go through
individual entry training (iet)
formerly basic combat training?
Yes. IET is nine weeks long. Once completed,
you report directly to TUSAB.
Could you be deployed?
TUSAB musicians are active duty
service members who support U.S.
Army Military District of Washington
ceremonial activities and missions.
TUSAB is a permanent duty assignment
which means that once you are selected
to be a member of the band, you can stay
in Washington, DC, for the duration of
your career. In recent years small pop/rock
groups and combos have traveled with the
USO to Southwest Asia to perform short
morale and welfare tours for fellow service
members during the winter holidays.
What are the benefits?
• Free health care for you and your
dependents.
• Loan repayment program up to $65,000.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• The Army will provide an instrument
and bow of high quality.
• Use of the commissary, post exchange,
gas station, and other post amenities.
• Army retirement program.
• VA loan qualification to purchase a
home with no money down and limited
closing costs.
• Thirty (30) days of paid leave per year.
Do you have other obligations
besides playing your instrument?
Rewarding opportunities and additional
duties exist within TUSAB and the military
community for members who wish to increase
their participation and enhance their career.
How much do you travel?
Occasionally. The Strings travels annually to
New York City to perform at Avery Fisher
Hall, Lincoln Center, and at Trinity Church
Wall Street around Veterans Day. Also, the
group travels for two weeks in September to
present special community outreach concerts
in two U.S. cities (destinations change each
year). Occasionally the group is requested to
perform for events around the country, but
these trips have been limited to only a few
days each year. Over the years the ensemble
has traveled Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
For more information about The United
States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” visit us
online at: www.usarmyband.com.
Vacancies
Violin
AuDition: 21 Apr | resumes: 20 FeB
Viola
AuDition: 19 mAy | resumes: 19 mAr
eligibility
Applicants must meet all standards to
enlist in the Armed Forces. All applicants
must have U.S. citizenship due to a security
clearance requirement.
Auditioning
Please submit a resume and a full-length
photograph for this audition—no later
than the due dates. Auditions will be by
invitation only. All invited candidates will
travel to Fort Myer, Virginia, at their own
expense. Please include name, instrument,
address, telephone number, and email
address on all enclosed materials. Applicants
will be expected to pass the Army’s physical
examination and meet other standards
required to enlist in the Armed Forces.
send resume to:
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
Attn: Audition - VIOLIN or VIOLA
400 McNair Road
Fort Myer, VA 22211-1306
Live Audition
Applicants invited to the audition will be
notified shortly after the deadline via email.
A list of repertoire and an audition time
will be sent to the invited candidates. As
part of the live audition applicants must
demonstrate excellent sight-reading skills,
as well as musical versatility in various
symphonic, chamber music, and commercial
settings.
Benefits
Annual starting salary for a Staff Sergeant
is: $47,674 (no dependents) and $53,183
(w/dependents).
For further information contact Master Sgt.
Maria de la Cerda at (703) 696-0206 or at
maria.delacerda@us.army.mil.
Violins
Master Sgt. Laura Knutson is a graduate of
the Eastman School of Music and Northern
Illinois University. She joined The U.S. Army
Strings in 1990 and serves as concertmaster
of The U.S. Army Orchestra. She has also
served as concertmaster of the Arlington
Symphony and assistant concertmaster
with the Fairfax Symphony and Annapolis
Symphony. As winner of its Young Artist
Competition, Laura has performed solo with
the National Symphony Orchestra.
For over 23 years Sgt. 1st Class Janette
Wilkinson has served in The U.S. Army
Strings. She is a graduate of Peabody
Conservatory and American University and
has studied chamber music intensively with
the Juilliard, Cleveland, Budapest, and Beaux
Arts String Quartets. Janette is a founding
member of the Washington Chamber Society
and the recipient of a Fulbright Award in
International Music.
Sgt. 1st Class Dionisia P. Fernandez has
been a member of The U.S. Army Strings
since 1994. She completed her bachelor’s
and master’s degrees at the Juilliard School
under Louise Behrend and Joseph Fuchs.
Donnie has been featured soloist of several
orchestras, including the Manila Chamber
Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic, the
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and The
U.S. Army Orchestra.
Sgt. 1st Class Krista Smith, native of
Indianapolis, Indiana, received her bachelor’s
degree from Indiana University and her
master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute
of Music. Krista has performed with the
Spoleto Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik
Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, and
the Kent Blossom Music Festival.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Pierson began his
violin studies at the age of six in Kansas
City, Missouri. In 1994 he received a merit
scholarship to attend Indiana University
where he studied with the world-renowned
violinist Yuval Yaron. Daniel joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 1998. He has been a featured
soloist with the Strings on numerous
occasions, including two performances of
the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in 2004.
Staff Sgt. Marlisa del Cid Woody joined The
U.S. Army Strings in 2000 upon completion
of her master’s degree at the Cleveland
Institute of Music. In addition to her duties
with the Strings, Marlisa performs with other
local ensembles including the National
Symphony Orchestra and the Washington
Bach Consort on baroque violin.
Staff Sgt. Erin Sammon joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 2002. She earned her
bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland
Institute of Music and her Master of
Historical Performance degree from Oberlin
Conservatory. Erin also frequently performs
and records with Apollo’s Fire and the
Washington Bach Consort.
Staff Sgt. Emily Leader joined The U.S.
Army Strings in 2003. She studied at the
University of Illinois and the Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music. She has
previously been a member of the Louisville
Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Emily currently appears with the Key West
Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony.